Personal Narrative, Andrew S. Cobb, Architect

Witness to the aftermath of the Halifax Explosion in 1917.

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Benchmarks of Historical Thinking:

Primary Source
- Oral account from a witness to the event. This was transcribed by a police officer who was taking a statement . Not sure how long after the event this took place but can assume that it would be fairly soon after the event.

Historical Significance
- The witness detailed specific events that he had witnessed. He told it from a first person account as it was happening. This is different from other accounts that we read after the fact.

Continuity and Change
- The Communications system has changed significantly in hopes of preventing such a disaster again. Emergency measures would be much different these days.

Cause and Consequence
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Historical Perspective
- This account brings an empathetic feeling to the story. Reading it from a first person perspective helped us understand the profound effect of this event on all those involved.

Moral Consequence